The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester

More about the book

Look no further for your next favorite read, because this queer contemporary YA mystery has it all: a gripping murder mystery, ghosts, romance, and a treasure trove of queer characters with depth and heart. In this story, a nonbinary autistic teen must solve a 30-year-old mystery while confronting their past to live a fulfilling life. Sam Sylvester has long collected stories of half-lived lives—kids who died before nineteen. As Sam's own nineteenth birthday approaches, their recent near-death experience haunts them, leaving them feeling as if time is running out. However, their life takes a turn for the better when they meet new friends and a potential love interest, Shep, their next-door neighbor. Yet, the past resurfaces, both in memories and through a thirty-year-old suspicious death in Sam's new home. Intrigued, Sam delves into the story of the deceased child, who seems to guide their investigation. When threatening notes start appearing, Sam realizes they are on the verge of uncovering a murderer. But are they unearthing the past or digging their own grave? This narrative explores healing after trauma and the richness of queer joy.